Sometimes you may have felt, "Oh, I feel so thin, don't I?" What we're talking about is a sudden weight loss without dieting, exercising more, or changing your eating habits. While this may be a joy for some, it's actually not something we should take lightly. Because this could be a sign of a health problem inside our body.
To what extent should we be concerned about weight loss?
Normally, our body weight fluctuates slightly from day to day. That is normal. But we should be concerned if, without any effort, you suddenly lose more than 5% of your total weight, or about 4.5 kg (10 pounds), within a period of 6 to 12 months. This is especially important if you are over 65 years of age.
For example, if your weight is 70 kilos, 5% of that is 3.5 kilos. So if your weight drops to 66-65 kilos for no apparent reason, it's very important to look into it.
Why is weight loss without reason a warning sign?
Simply put, unexplained weight loss can often be a red flag for a serious underlying condition. Some conditions, such as diabetes and Addison's disease, can progress quickly. Some conditions, such as cancer, can develop slowly.
Therefore, the best thing to do is to see a doctor as soon as you notice that you have lost 4.5 kg or more of your weight without any effort. Then we can quickly find the cause, start treatment, and increase your chances of a full recovery.
What are the reasons for unexpected weight loss?
There can be many reasons for this type of weight loss. Some medical conditions can cause a decrease in appetite. Other conditions can prevent the body from absorbing the calories in the food we eat. In some cases, the rate at which the body burns calories can increase. Let's look at the main reasons.
| Condition/Cause | How it affects weight loss and other characteristics |
|---|---|
| Cancer | Weight loss can occur due to changes in the body's metabolism and loss of appetite. |
| Diabetes | When cells don't get the glucose they need, the body burns fat and muscle for energy. This is a symptom of undiagnosed diabetes. |
| Hyperthyroidism | This condition speeds up the body's metabolism, leading to weight loss. Symptoms such as excessive sweating and increased heart rate also occur. |
| Digestive system diseases | Diseases such as Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis impair the absorption of nutrients from food, leading to weight loss. Symptoms such as stomach cramps and diarrhea also occur. |
| Mental health problems | Conditions such as depression and anxiety can cause a complete loss of appetite. |
| Heart failure | Weight loss is observed in the final stages of the disease. |
| Addison's disease | A decrease in hormone levels such as cortisol affects metabolism and leads to weight loss. |
| Parkinson's disease | Weight loss is caused by symptoms such as loss of smell (anosmia), difficulty swallowing, and loss of appetite. |
| Dental health problems | Toothaches and gum disease can cause difficulty chewing food, leading to weight loss due to reduced food intake. |
| Medications taken | Some medications can cause weight loss as a side effect, including loss of appetite, nausea, or changes in taste. |
| Drug and alcohol use | These can cause changes in appetite, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss due to liver damage. |
What tests does a doctor do at a time like this?
When you see a doctor with this problem, he or she will consider your symptoms, family medical history, and other factors before ordering the necessary tests. Some of these include:
- Blood tests: Testing your blood can tell you a lot about things like diabetes, infections, and the function of your thyroid and adrenal glands.
- Cancer screening tests: If the doctor suspects cancer, he or she may order tests or scans, such as a colonoscopy.
- Imaging tests: Tests such as an MRI or CT scan can take detailed pictures of your brain, heart, lungs, and abdominal organs. These can help detect tumors or other conditions.
- Urine test: This can provide information about kidney and bladder function and infections.
How is it treated and what can we do?
Unexplained weight loss is treated according to the underlying cause. For example, a toothache requires a visit to the dentist. A peptic ulcer requires antibiotics. Celiac disease requires complete avoidance of gluten-containing foods.
The most important thing is, if you are losing weight for no reason, don't try to treat it yourself at home. Be sure to see a doctor to find out the exact cause.
We can't prevent many of the diseases that contribute to this condition. However, we can take some simple steps to help prevent some of them:
- Have an annual medical checkup .
- Get recommended vaccinations and cancer screenings on time.
- Take your prescribed medications as directed . Tell your doctor if you experience side effects, such as weight loss, after starting a new medication.
- Take good care of your teeth and gums. Brush your teeth twice a day, and see your dentist.
- Avoid drug and alcohol use.
Unintentional weight loss may seem like a good thing to you. So you may want to ignore it. But never ignore this symptom. It could be a sign that you need important medical treatment. Once the cause is identified and treated, you can get back to a healthy weight and stay healthy.
Take-Home Message
- If you lose more than 5% of your weight (e.g. more than 4.5 kg) within 6-12 months without making any effort, take it seriously.
- Don't be happy about weight loss and ignore it. It could be a sign of a hidden illness.
- Many conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, thyroid problems, and mental health issues, can cause weight loss.
- See your family doctor (doctor) immediately to find out the exact cause. Do not try to treat it at home on your own.
- Early diagnosis and treatment greatly increases your chances of a speedy recovery.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න